Summary Box: Builders remain pessimistic in August

OUTLOOK DIM: Homebuilders are just as pessimistic about the depressed housing market as they were two years ago. An index of builder sentiment has been below 20 for all but one month during the past two years, the National Association of Home Builders said Monday.

LONG DRY SPELL: Any reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market. The index hasn't reached 50 since April 2006, the peak of the housing boom.

BUILDERS STRUGGLING: Foreclosures, tougher lending requirements, larger down payments, low appraisals and a difficulty in selling homes has put a dent in new-home sales, the builders' group said.